3 years (2020 est. )total: 21 yearsmale: 20. 1 yearsfemale: 22 years (2020 est. ) Population growth rate2. 25% (2021 est. )2. 02% (2021 est. ) Birth rate31. 31 births/1, 000 population (2021 est. )28. 49 births/1, 000 population (2021 est. ) Death rate7. 55 deaths/1, 000 population (2021 est. )7. 54 deaths/1, 000 population (2021 est. ) Net migration rate-1. 24 migrant(s)/1, 000 population (2021 est.
Several attempts at reaching a comprehensive peace agreement have failed. Since 2012, despite sporadic incidents of violence, an unofficial cease-fire has remained largely in effect. Senegal is one of the most stable democracies in Africa and has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping and regional mediation. The Socialist Party of Senegal ruled for 40 years until Abdoulaye WADE was elected president in 2000 and re-elected in 2007. WADE amended Senegal's constitution over a dozen times to increase executive power and weaken the opposition. In 2012, WADE's decision to run for a third presidential term sparked public backlash that led to his defeat to current President Macky SALL. A 2016 constitutional referendum limited future presidents to two consecutive five-year terms.
The economy is highly sensitive to international food and extractive commodity prices. Other risks to Mauritania's economy include its recurring droughts, dependence on foreign aid and investment, and insecurity in neighboring Mali, as well as significant shortages of infrastructure, institutional capacity, and human capital. In December 2017, Mauritania and the IMF agreed to a three year agreement under the Extended Credit Facility to foster economic growth, maintain macroeconomic stability, and reduce poverty. Investment in agriculture and infrastructure are the largest components of the country's public expenditures. GDP (purchasing power parity)$55.
This solidified Mauritania's status as an emerging democracy. After winning 52% of the vote, Mohamed Cheikh El GHAZOUANI was inaugurated in 2019. The country faces a number of issues, including ethnic tensions and a terrorist threat. Between 2005 and 2011, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) launched a series of attacks killing American and foreign tourists and aid workers, attacking diplomatic and government facilities, and ambushing Mauritanian soldiers and gendarmes.
)permanent pasture: 29. 1% (2018 est. )forest: 43. )other: 9. )agricultural land: 38. 5% (2018 est. )arable land: 0. )permanent crops: 0% (2018 est. )permanent pasture: 38. )forest: 0. 2% (2018 est. )other: 61. ) Irrigated land1, 200 sq km (2012)450 sq km (2012) Natural hazardslowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughtshot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind primarily in March and April; periodic droughts Environment - current issuesdeforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; periodic droughts; seasonal flooding; overfishing; weak environmental protective laws; wildlife populations threatened by poachingovergrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; limited natural freshwater resources away from the Senegal, which is the only perennial river; locust infestation Environment - international agreementsparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreementsparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - notewesternmost country on the African continent; The Gambia is almost an enclave within SenegalMauritania is considered both a part of North Africa's Maghreb region and West Africa's Sahel region; most of the population is concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country Total renewable water resources38.
324 billion (2019 est. )$52. 553 billion (2018 est. )$49. 402 billion (2017 est. )note: data are in 2010 dollars$23. 52 billion (2019 est. )$22. 203 billion (2018 est. )$21. 743 billion (2017 est. )note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP - real growth rate7. 2% (2017 est. )6. 2% (2016 est. 4% (2015 est. 5% (2017 est. )1. 8% (2016 est. ) GDP - per capita (PPP)$3, 395 (2019 est. )$3, 315 (2018 est. )$3, 204 (2017 est. )note: data are in 2010 dollars$5, 197 (2019 est.